Spain, Mexico toughen anti-terrorist cooperation

17 July 2007, MEXICO CITY - The leaders of Mexico and Spain agreed to increase their nations' cooperation in fighting terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.

17 July 2007

MEXICO CITY - The leaders of Mexico and Spain agreed to increase their nations' cooperation in fighting terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Mexican President Felipe Calderon signed an agreement aimed at improving information-sharing and partnership, and said both countries increasingly face the threat of such violence.

"We have reaffirmed this shared willingness regarding everything that has to do with terrorist activity, the activity of ETA," Zapatero told a news conference in the capital, referring to the Basque separatist group known by its initials. Zapatero is in Mexico on a four-day visit.

Zapatero's government has taken a hard line against the militant group since it exploded a bomb at the Madrid airport Dec. 30, killing two people and breaking a cease-fire. In the past, Mexico has extradited suspected ETA members to Spain.

Zapatero called Mexico's cooperation to date "very satisfactory."

"Spain can count on Mexico in the fight against terrorism," said Calderon, who has sent thousands of troops and federal police to wage a battle against powerful drug cartels, some of which have extended their operations to Europe.

This month, Mexico also has suffered a series of gas pipeline bombings for which a small leftist guerrilla group claimed responsibility.

Calderon and Zapatero also promised measures to increase trade between the two countries, which amounted to about US$7 billion (5 billion) in 2006.